A political non-scandal

[Theophylact]

There are rumors flying about the net, about a supposed sex scandal involving an important elected official in a position of high visibility.

The official happens to be a Republican.

None of these rumors has made it into the newspapers or onto television, or even onto Matt Drudge's site.

There's no reason to believe the rumors are true, but that hasn't prevented publication in the past.

For those of us who are Democrats, it might be satisfying to see a major Republican official embarrassed, especially if that official turned out to be a public hypocrite about sexual morality.

BUT IT WOULD BE WRONG.

The official's sex life (if any) is a private matter. If we haven't learned anything else from the Clinton impeachment disaster/farce, we should have learned that.

So I'm not linking to any of this, and I hope the thing, true or false, dies a quiet death.

[whitebeard21]

amazing how you have to search to find out it is a governor.

[Epidemic]

Ummm,

How many allegations have turned out to be false in high profile cases involving democrats.

Perhaps the simple fact that this is completely unfounded is what is keeping it to a dull whisper.

Link it I would be interested to see and compare the situation.

[whitebeard21]

If his wife wants to bring him out of the closet she will I am sure.

[osprey4]

IMHO, if a public official violates a public oath, even privately, his integrity is undermined.

In other words, if his wife can't trust him, why should I?

[RADAR1797]

Ah but that is not morally relative and you are judging people. You must be evil applying your standards to the people you vote for.

-RADAR

[Epidemic]

evil?

[osprey4]

Originally posted by RADAR1797
Ah but that is not morally relative and you are judging people. You must be evil applying your standards to the people you vote for.

Why should I not expect a high level of integrity from a public official whose salary I'm paying?

[Theophylact]

I think I made a mistake in posting this thread.

I was dead serious about this not being a fit subject for press speculation, even if it were true. Instead, I seem to have set off a discussion of the rumor itself, and a scavenger hunt for the details.

Just because I'd be pleased to see a hypocrite revealed doesn't justify spreading this kind of stuff around. Very few of us could endure having a searchlight shined into every crevice of our lives; very few of us are totally innocent of wrongdoing. A lot of folks who aren't without guilt are throwing stones.

Rumors of this kind are poisonous. I can assure you that there are far worse ones out there, about people on both sides of the political fence.

Even when there is no truth to them, lies have a life of their own. A Virginia middle-school teacher recently committed suicide over a false accusation made by a student; he felt his reputation had been destroyed, even though he knew he was completely innocent.

I'm asking a moderator to close this thread.

Closed on request.